Fine foods distributor Cotswold Fayre predicts that the convenience sector will continue to premiumise its offering in 2017.  Over the past 12 months the company says  it has seen sales of products in the sector increase by more than 40%.

With the market constantly evolving to meet the demanding and changing needs of modern consumer lifestyles, the opportunity for stores to capitalise on sales by diversifying and offering premium, quality products is ever increasing.

Research conducted with convenience retailers revealed that over the next year 45% of convenience retailers will seek to increase premium brand listings, with nearly two thirds (60%) seeking out local products and nearly a quarter (23%) predicting an increase in artisan products.*

Paul Hargreaves, chief executive at Cotswold Fayre says:  “Over the past two years, our convenience orders have doubled in volume.  The way we shop is changing, gone are the days of the weekly ‘big shop’. This represents a real opportunity for convenience and forecourt retailers to capitalise on the ‘top-up shops’, by offering new and different products”.

Cotswold Fayre has revealed its top performing categories for convenience in 2016 were snacks, soft drinks, meal solutions and home-baking products.  The company also doubled its chilled range in response to opportunities in the market.  For c-stores, chilled and fresh fruit and vegetables accounts for a quarter (23.8%) of sales**.

Hargreaves continues: “Consumers are seeking out new products and brands from their local stores – and importantly, they are happy to spend more on quality produce. In order to stay relevant, stores must continue to diversify and react to consumer demand for premium, speciality products.”

Cotswold Fayre recently introduced 35 new suppliers and more than 250 new products to its range –across the chilled and ambient.

* Research was carried out by him! in April 2016, telephone interviews with 100 retailers

** The Local Shop Report 2016 – a report by the Association of Convenience Stores